Walking With Dinosaurs The Arena Spectacular

On billboards and online, Walking With Dinosaurs the Arena Spectacular boasts everywhere that it is “the biggest show Sydney has ever seen”. Sydney is, in fact, where it started out in 2007, and after enjoying hit success internationally this esteemed production returns to its place of origin with an updated treat for its viewers, incorporating “colourful changes” that are motivated by recent scientific findings - including the feathering of some major species. 

“The biggest show”we’ve ever seen? This production really is ginormous. From a technical viewpoint especially, it’s astounding, and that’s almost entirely due to the robotic puppetry in each of the (life-size!) dinosaurs. Genuinely unsure I could have enjoyed myself as much sitting any further back than I was (two rows from the front), I recommend you nab a seat as close to the front as possible so you have the chance to get a close-up look at these amazing creations.

From the recent modification of feathers running down the back, to steam escaping the nostrils, they are 100% lifelike. Sure, as with most theatre puppetry, we are expected to turn a blind-eye to some of their mechanics, for example; two little human legs running about inside the smaller dinosaurs, and the floats on which larger dinosaurs move around. I promise you now that such features, though initially a bit distracting, will not take away from the sheer spectacle you are about to witness. In fact, as an adult enjoying the show, the best part is the mechanics - just how do these puppets move around the space so convincingly? How is it that we are instantly transformed billions of years into the past? 

The sheer scale of a show like this is mind-boggling. Even the set, which seems a little static and basic in contrast to the puppetry, is utilised to its fullest potential, cleverly accommodating the main spectacle through subtle prop changes about the large arena space. Its movement throughout the entire 200 million years of dinosaur life would not have been communicated nearly as well without the help of clever projections used during the length of the show.

If you’re not in it just to be wowed by puppetry and tech, you can appreciate it for being an educational show. In each act, the dinosaurs are joined by a kind of narrator, loveable palaeontologist Huxley - actor Andrew Blackman -whose humorous and affable nature really works to carry the seemingly loose story at the most crucial times. Out there talking on his own the entire length of the show, it’s surely a tough gig for him, but he does a solid job. In an accessible way, he teaches his audience a lot about both the practice of palaeontology and each of the dinosaur species and eras.

This show, complete with an uplifting score, incredible dinosaur puppets of both the cute and fierce variety, and an in-depth historic recount, allows you to experience the BBC favourite in a whole new way. 

Sally Alrich-Smythe

Images: Mama and baby rex; Raptors (Patrick Murphy) and Lilliensternus.